Newbie Parent of Mildly Autistic boy

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Hello!
I'm the mother of a wonderful, almost 4 year old boy, Joshua, who is on the mild end of the Autism spectrum. He has minimal language, using echolalia language. He is starting to make more eye contact and has an engaging smile and a joy to all who know him.

He does have some problematic behaviors we are trying to work with, for example, he likes to "dump" things or pour out water glasses, in addition to not initiating to much with potty training. Considering his limited language, we are having to be especially aware of when he may need to go, or do some cleaning up afterward. Additionally, he has visual issues where his eyes aren't working together and he is farsighted. So, he likes to crawl on the floor at times and will even get his head on the floor and scoot about, or lay his face down and look out one eye. We are working on vision issues with vision therapy, as well as having him do speech and OT and he is definitely making progress. The issue I have is wanting him to make progress, "faster". It's a struggle realizing that God has His own time table for Joshua's development. I am doing everything I can to help make it easier with his deficits, as we even have him on the GAPS diet (SCD), but, alas, we can't afford to get him all the organic foods and enzymes, etc. that are optimal.

Any suggestions are welcome as we travel this journey.

Thanks for listening!
Sheila

GAPS diet and God? Poor kid.

First, Welcome to WP.

Secondly, I'll address the GAPs diet.

I have looked into diets too (attend some seminars and did some reading). I have a good friend who has a strong science background. We both find that the gluten free diets and GAPs diet to have no legitimate research to support it. Often, other parents give anecdotal evidence that their efforts are working in regards to diets like this. However, children with autism progress due to several factors:

1) regular growth and development. Even though a child has autism, they still mature and grow like every other child. They just have different challenges.

2) Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and ABA Therapy (all three are proven to work). A child will often be on a GAPs diet and be using OT, Speech and ABA. It isn't the diet that is making the difference - it is the OT, Speech and ABA!

3) Children with autism will have spurts of rapid improvement and this is often attributed to a change of diet in error. With the other therapies, (OT, Speech and ABA) - there is long term studies indicating that children undoing these specific interventions do better than other children not undergoing these interventions.

In any event - I urge you to tread carefully in regards to diets. They take a lot of time and money which could be spent on other therapies that WILL help your son. Having said this, if you enjoy the food and lifestyle of the GAPs diet or other specific diets and your GP feels that they will not harm - go ahead and do what you feel comfortable with. I just don't like seeing people throw money away on unproven or faulty ideas.

The previous respondent made a comment about your faith. I think that this was inappropriate. A person's faith and/or religious beliefs are a very personal thing. I know people of many faiths (Christian, Buddhist, Wiccan, and Ismali). I know people who are agnostic and people who are secular humanist. There is nothing wrong with sharing your personal belief in relation to how you are dealing with your personal journey of raising your son. If your relationship with God is making you stronger - than more of his power to you.

One of the books that has really helped me in my journey is Dr. Lynn Koegel's Overcoming Autism It is based on the research and work of the Koegel Autism Center at the University of California called Pivotal Response Teaching. The book itself is written for laypersons (this author has also written other books which were academic). The techniques described in her book take effort - but do not require lifestyle changes (such as diets). The techniques are meant to be integrated into everyday life for the child and their family.

There is also lots of great advice from parents and adults with autism who generously share their own thoughts and experiences. We may not always agree 100% with each other - but it is supportive to share with others.

I hope that you find what you need at WP.

Welcome greetings to the WP community, Sheila. You might wish to check out Wrong Planet's Parents’ Discussion Forum: http://www.wrongplanet.net/forum19.html All the best to you and Joshua.

Welcome to WrongPlanet, and remember, acceptance is the best cure.

Welcome to WP!

Hi, my heart goes out to you. My son was diagnosed at 3 yrs. old as being Autistic. He went through full ABA therapy (35-40 hrs. in home fully paid by our state). The therapy, and my wife's follow through worked wonders. I chronicle it in my signature. He is a 2E child. Just click on the link in my signature. You will see what ABA therapy was, how we set up the classroom, the effects, and most importantly, the results. Good luck....and welcome.

To WrongPlanet!! !